Youth Foils ATM Scam – Wins Calculator

A U.K. 17-year-old risked life and limb by removing a fake fascia of an ATM machine. The nearby crooks gave chase and the hero, Luke Bridges, had to run for his life.

So what was the reward for this daring-do? A pocket calculator…

Maybe that would have been a cool gift in 1978, but I’m guessing it only cost the bank around a dollar and looks like one of those free giveaway items.

The bank, NatWest, reiterated in a statement that no one should risk removing one of these devices:

“We would never encourage anyone to put their safety at risk by attempting to remove any such device. We advise anyone who notices anything unusual about a cash machine to report it to the bank or the police immediately.”

Probably good advice. In any case, the story gives you a good look at what these PIN skimming devices look like. Pay close attention to the machine whenever you go to use an ATM.

I started using computers in 1978 on the Apple II and was first online (using my “high-speed” 1200 baud modem) in 1989. I’ve managed web sites for several Fortune 500 companies and for internet start-ups.
Working for one of those start-ups is what brought me into the world of credit. I was part of the the executive team that ran QSpace, the first company to offer credit reports over the internet.